Lacey sat at the edge of the pool. She watches as her friends splash and play in the water. She longs to feel the coolness of the water against her sun warmed skin. Needs to float on her back and feel weightless. But she can not. She hasn't been able to go swimming-- anywhere-- not just in a pool, since the accident.She closes her eyes. In her minds eye, she sees the bright red floaties that Jasmine always wore laying on the chair next to her. She remembers the confusion she felt as she realized that Jas had just been there. Lacey had only turned away for a moment. Had only spent 2 minutes talking to her friend from school. She jumped out of her chair and started looking for Jas. Hoping that she was simply playing hide-and-seek like she always did. Her stomach tightens with fear. Please tell her that Jas didn't jump into the pool. Of course she wouldn't do that. Mom has told her over and over that she has to wear the floaties until she can swim on her own.Lacey runs to the edge of the pool. Looks down. And there she sees Jas at the bottom. Her gorgeous blonde hair floating around her like a halo. Lacey screams for help then dives in to get her baby sister. Grabs Jas by the arm and drags her through the water. When she surfaces, there is a lifeguard standing by ready to help lift Jas out of the water. The lifeguard hoists Jas's lifeless body onto the sidewalk and begins CPR immediately. Lacey climbs out of the pool and watches, tears in her eyes, as this man attempts to bring Jas back to life.She looks at Jas. Her small body limp. Her crystal blue eyes closed. Her little red lips now colored a pale shade of blue.Paramedics arrive and take over for the lifeguard. Jas is still not breathing. They get her on a stretcher and move to the ambulance. Lacey has gathered up their things and sits in the front of the truck. She fishes out her cell and calls their Mom. "Mom?! Mom it's me, Lacey. No. Everything isn't alright. Jas jumped into the pool without her floaties on. She was right by me... I turned to talk to Beth... Turned back and she was gone... No. They're doing CPR now... We're headed to the hospital... Mom! Mom? Please stop... Mom just meet us at the hospital, OK?!" Lacey closes up her phone. This can not be happening.They reach the hospital and rush Jas back to a room. Lacey isn't allowed back there. The last she heard things were still bad.She walks through the doors to the waiting room where her Mom is. She listens as her mother screams at her about how irresponsible she is. How she will never be forgiven if something happens to Jas...A nurse rushes through the door. "Mrs. Greene? Mrs. Greene, we need you to come back and sign some papers. These papers are to give us permission to..."Her mom is walking with the nurse as the she talks. Lacey doesn't catch the whole conversation.A loud splash and a scream bring Lacey back to the present. She opens her eyes, tears streaming down her face. She focuses her attention in the direction of the scream. Two sisters playing in the water. Splashing and dunking each other. One little and blonde wearing bright red floaties. Just like her sister. Just like Jas.

This post linked with The Red Dress Club. Inspired by the prompt "Water gives life. It also takes it away." Constructive criticism is welcomed and appreciated!